Teraphim
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Teraphim in the Bible?
The teraphim were small household idols or images utilized in ancient domestic rituals, often associated with divination and the transmission of family lineage.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the teraphim clarifies the complex religious landscape of ancient Israel, revealing how domestic practices and ancestral veneration coexisted with or challenged emerging monotheistic norms.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Teraphim were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Teraphim in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Teraphim clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Teraphim." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/teraphim/